As Syndey eases restrictions in the city, international students are eagerly awaiting their turn to enter the city. Australia’s strict COVID-19 pandemic restrictions like total lockdowns, border closures, and testing and vaccination are showing their advantage. As more than 5 million residents step out after 106 days in lockdown, international students return to Sydney is expected.
The highly dangerous Delta variant of the coronavirus forced Sydney to go in complete lockdown and contain any infections. The number of cases is falling each day and authorities are finally allowing residents in the city to step out. Restaurants, cafes and supermarkets are seeing people in swarms, ready to experience the outside world and socialise. Public areas are inviting Sydney residents outside, as long as they can prove they are fully vaccinated.
The Australian Government has finally authorised international students to return to Sydney. The pilot program in New South Wales is expecting international students to fill their applications and travel to Sydney. Authorities have stated that students can come to university as early as December this year if they are eligible. The eligibility criteria as international students return to Sydney is they must have a valid visa and be fully vaccinated. Vaccinations must be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) like Coronavac (Sinovac) and Covishield (Astra Zeneca). International students will also have to undergo mandatory quarantine for either a fortnight or a week depending.
All previously offshore international students return to Sydney along with residents and citizens of the country. International students will be a priority and as more pilot plans are executed, students will enter on a larger scale. Authorities have also expressed that no stranded Australian ex-pats will be affected by international students return to Sydney. As per the pilot plan, universities will fund quarantine costs of international students when they land in the city.
Source – https://www.studyinternational.com/news/return-to-australia-date/